Preview: Vodacom Cup, Round Four

The Vodacom Cup is putting a smile on the face of South Africa Under-20 coach Dawie Theron, as a number of players in the reckoning for the Junior World Championship later this year, are getting valuable game time.

No less than 11 members of Theron's last training squad featured in the Vodacom Cup last weekend. Add to that three more players that are currently part of Super Rugby squads and one with the Springbok Sevens team, and it's clear why Theron is happy.

"To have more than half of our squad involved in these competitions, is wonderful. It not only provides the players with valuable game time, but also helps with improving their conditioning, because the best way to get as fit as possible, is to actually play rugby," said Theron.

"We don't have a lot of time to prepare for the series against Argentina next month and the game time the players are getting at the moment, will definitely assist in getting them ready for a few tough games we're anticipating."

Last weekend, the following SA U20 squad members featured for their provinces in the Vodacom Cup: Allan Dell, Nicolas van Dyk and Pieter Steph du Toit (Sharks XV), Tony Jantjies, Jan Serfontein and Poerie van Rooyen (Blue Bulls), Paul Willemse, Marais Schmidt, Wian van der Watt and Ettiene Oosthuizen (Golden Lions), as well as Kevin Luiters (Free State XV).

Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen and Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff have been making waves in Super Rugby, while utility back Paul Jordaan has featured in three matches in South Africa for the Sharks and is currently on tour with them.

William Small-Smith is a member of the Springbok Sevens team that are playing in Tokyo this weekend and he featured in the recent Hong Kong tournament.

Goosen, Schmidt and Jantjies, the likely kickers for the SA U20 team later this year, are all piling on the points, with Goosen topping the charts in Super Rugby and the other two both featuring in the top 10 of the Vodacom Cup.

"One of the issues we've singled out that needed attention, has been game time. The teams from the Northern Hemisphere arrive here having played in the Under-20 Six Nations, but this year we have the series against Argentina to help in our preparations, while it's really good to see the players feature in a senior tournament like the Vodacom Cup," said Theron.

"A number of other players in our squad have been playing in the various Varsity Cup competitions as well, so I'm happy that they are getting game time."

Two big fixtures take place in the North Section on Saturday - the Leopards host the resurgent Blue Bulls in Potchefstroom, while the Pumas take on four-time champions Griquas in Witbank. These teams occupy the top four spots on the Northern log.

In the South Section, the Free State XV face a difficult trip down to Port Elizabeth where they will meet the EP Kings on Friday. Both sides lost last weekend and will be hard pressed to get back to winning ways.

Also on Saturday, the Pampas XV and Boland Cavaliers clash at Newlands in Cape Town as a curtain raiser to the Super Rugby match between the Stormers and the Bulls.

The two top Southern sides, Western Province (away to the Border Bulldogs) and the Sharks XV (at home to the SWD Eagles), should go into their round four matches as favourites.

Vodacom Cup Fixtures - Round Four:

Friday, March 30:

Sharks XV v SWD Eagles
Venue: Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 16.30
Referee: Jaco Peyper

EP Kings v Free State XV
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, PE
Kick-off: 19:10
Referee: Joey Salmans

Saturday, March 31:

Golden Lions v Griffons
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 14:45
Referee: Ben Crouse

Border Bulldogs v Western Province
Venue: BCM Stadium, East London
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: Sindile Mayende

Leopards v Blue Bulls
Venue: Olén Park, Potchefstroom
Kick-off: 16:00
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Pumas v Griquas
Venue: Puma Stadium, Witbank
Kick-off: 16:00
Referee: Pro Legoete

Pampas XV v Boland Cavaliers
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16:45
Referee: Tiaan Jonker

Bye: Falcons

Top points' scorers:
63 - Gouws Prinsloo (Sharks XV -  two tries, 10 conversions, 11 penalties)
58 - Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province - four cons, 15 pens, one try)
46 - Elric van Vuuren (SWD Eagles - three tries, five cons, seven pens)
42 - JC Roos (Pumas - 12 cons, six pens)
40 - Juan Kotze (Falcons - one try, sevens cons, seven pens)